Accounting Specialist

Accounting Specialist

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Accounting Specialist to support essential financial operations in a mission-driven environment. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with responsibilities that include preparing accounts receivable and payable (AR/AP) statements, reconciling financial transactions and reports, and maintaining accurate fiscal records and databases. The selected candidate will play a key role in supporting department leadership on operating budgets and other financial activities that help ensure high-quality service delivery across the counties we serve. Ideal applicants will bring experience with financial systems, strong analytical and reconciliation skills, and the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable information. Join us in advancing the Medical Examiner's commitment to excellence, integrity, and community impact through accurate, reliable financial stewardship.

Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program.

This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at 14250 Highway 62, Minnetonka, MN 55345, and remote as job duties require. There is no public transportation to this facility. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.

This is a full-time, benefit earning position. This position is internally classified as an Accounting Specialist. Click here to view the job classification specification.

In this position, you will:

• Prepare (AR/AP) statements and past due account letters; deposit and reconcile these accounts to satisfy balances owed.
• Monitor and reconcile financial transactions, financial reports, and department and/or county bank accounts to ensure accuracy.
• Gather, organize, and post fiscal data to update and maintain records, journals, ledgers, and databases.
• Assist with workforce administration.
• Support department leadership with preparation of operating budget, project accounting, and other budget related activities.

Need to have:

• One of the following:
• Three years or more of experience in maintaining financial records.
• Three years or more of post-secondary education in areas related to business or accounting.
• A combination of related post-secondary education in areas related to business or accounting and experience in maintaining financial records that equals at least three years.

Nice to have:

• Experience:
• With finance systems such as General Ledger, cash receipting, and remote deposit; familiarity with how budget and finance groups partner with departments on receipting/collections.
• Preparing journal vouchers/entries with complete supporting documentation and maintaining audit-ready files consistent with financial best practices.
• With billing/collection flows (e.g., entering bills, recording receipts, coordinating for collections) and with receivables systems.
• With workforce administration.
• Designing or tightening reconciliations, exception handling, and month-end close checklists to reduce error rates and rework.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (PivotTables, Power Query, complex formulas) and the broader Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams) for building reports from exported data.
• Familiarity with billing/collection flows (e.g., entering bills, recording receipts, coordinating for collections) and with receivable systems where applicable.
• Ability to:
• Prepare AR/AP statements, issue past-due letters, reconcile bank accounts, and audit transactions for coding accuracy and timeliness.
• Compile, check, and tabulate budget estimates and allotments, and support operating budget/project accounting cycles.
• Translate complex ledger detail into leader-ready communications.
• Analyze and explain differences between actual results and budgeted amounts, identify the causes of variances, and determine whether corrective actions are required.

About the department: The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office under the leadership of Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew M. Baker, provides death investigative services and forensic autopsy services for deaths that occur in Hennepin County, Dakota County, Scott County, and other counties across the Midwest.

About Hennepin County: Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive. Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge (login as Guest). Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community. Your future. Made here.

This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies. This position may have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data. Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a criminal background check.